4 Day Montenegro Itinerary

Whether you’re planning a short midweek trip away or using some leftover annual leave for an extra-long weekend, it’s possible to pack a whole lot into a short space of time. Four days is by no means long enough to explore the entirety of Montenegro. But, in that time it’s possible to squeeze in the highlights plus a little extra time for exploration.

Montenegro is the perfect place to travel for those looking for something a little different. Often with much fewer crowds, especially outside of the peak months, you’ll be able to experience the country’s authenticity first-hand and soak in the beauty and tranquillity that awaits you. When spending time in the country, even just for four days, there are some things you simply cannot miss! Read on to find out more:

Day 1

Montenegro has two main airports, one in the capital of Podgorica, the other closeby to the town of Tivat. Most likely, you’ll be flying into Podgorica; however, it’s worth noting that Dubrovnik airport in Croatia is roughly the same drive time away and is served by a greater range of routes. If you’re planning on hiring a car while in Montenegro (you definitely should), then flights to Dubrovnik could be an easier or cheaper option for you.

Upon arrival, make your way to Kotor, the first of many highlights hidden in Montenegro. If you’re arriving from Podgorica, then travelling via Budva and seeing Sveti Stefan is a must. This is a small islet just off the coast of Budva on which a resort has been built. Don’t worry if you don’t have time though; this can be seen later in the trip. Kotor is a coastal location, with a historic old town, and is known for its UNESCO protection status. Upon arrival in Kotor, we’d suggest spending some time exploring the old town and hiking the city walls. For a more detailed lowdown on what you can do there, check out how you can spend two days in Kotor here.

There are some amazing restaurants in the town, and in the neighbouring Dobrota. We’d suggest heading to the Galion Restoran for an opulent experience, with a range of dishes, many of which drawing from Kotor’s seaside location. The views are also fantastic, looking out across the bay as the sun begins to dip behind the mountains; there are few better ways to begin your trip in Montenegro.

Day 2

Don’t waste any time on your second day in Montenegro, grab some comfy walking shoes and head into the mountains located closeby to Kotor. Lovcen National Park can be accessed by car from Kotor by climbing the P1 road that includes the Kotor Serpentine. This is a series of sharp, hair-pin bends ultimately leading to a view across the entire bay of Kotor and beyond. We’d suggest taking extra caution when navigating this route as there are some sections where the side safety wall has crumbled away.

Once you’ve made the ascent, travel through the park to visit the famed mountain mausoleum, otherwise known as Njegos Mausoleum. Upon arrival, you’ll have to climb exactly 461 stairs to reach the location, which is well worth the effort as the view from the top is breathtaking. You can choose to either continue your journey into the mountains, stopping off at the small town of Kolasin for supper, or to head back to Kotor for a second night.

Day 3

Day three presents two options: the first is a trip south along the coast, travelling through Budva and stopping for lunch, concluding at the grand Lake Skadar. Or a trip inland, following the Tara Canyon to the Black Lake and enjoying a walk either around the lake or the nearby Durmitor National Park. If you decide to travel inland, you’ll be greeted with more fantastic views of the natural landscape, with dramatic mountains rising up from all directions.

Why not stop off somewhere entirely different? Towards the west of Durmitor National Park, you’ll find the Izlazak Ethno Village, a small collection of handbuilt chalets and lodges. The accommodation is small but cosy and perfect for escaping the busyness of everyday life. There is also a restaurant at the location which means a warm meal is never far away.

Day 4

Don’t let the end-of-holiday blues get you down, jump into an activity to really make the most of your last day in Montenegro. Why not try your hand at rafting down the nearby Tara Canyon, or zipline across the canyon from the Tara Bridge. There are also lots of hiking routes nearby that show off the amazing scenery of Durmitor, Zabljak and the surrounding areas.

Depending on your departure airport, either head back to the capital for a night in the city, or back to the coast before heading back to Dubrovnik. Podgorica has a range of excellent restaurants to choose from; we’d suggest Pod Volat for a hearty meal at the centre of the city. Alternatively, if you’re travelling back to the coast, Stari Mlini is an exceptional choice in the town of Dobrota.

If this itinerary has inspired you to head to Montenegro, why not check out our range of experience holidays? You can also check out our blog for more information on Montenegro and the many other countries that we visit.

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